Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1999

Industry-Academia Collaboration Advanced Surface and Materials Analysis Centre A batch of circuit boards produced by a Hong Kong factory in Guangdong were rejected by their buyer. The factory manager was baffled. Examining the circuit boards, he could only detect an unusual reddish tint on the gold plating. He took the boards to the University's Advanced Surface and Materials Analysis Centre, where the researchers found that the reddish patch contained more calcium, magnesium and carbonate than its surrounding region. They came to the conclusion that the problem was caused by contamination of the water used by the factory at its source. The factory then began f i l t e r i n g its tap water and the problem was subsequently solved. These and similar problems beset high value-added industries like surface finishing and electronic packaging. Manufacturers need to employ advanced analysis technology to analyze the products of their competitors, account for flaws in their own products, solve production problems, and develop new products. At CUHK, an Advanced Surface and Materials Analysis Centre was recently set up to provide crucial support to this kind of industry. External Support The most difficult part about establishing the centre was getting funding support. Prof. S.P. Wong of the Department of Electronic Engineering and Prof. Raymund Kwok of the Department of Chemistry are materials scientists who have frequently lent their expertise to local industries to solve their production problems. They were joined by Prof. Leo Lau, professor of materials science, and Prof. Ian Wilson, professor of electronic engineering in planning the establishment of a permanent centre on campus to render the expertise required by the market. With the assistance of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, the team contacted different factories to explain how their project can be of use to them. Over 20 responded w i th great enthusiasm, agreeing to pay for the services proposed and promising to make an advance of HK$1.3 million, equivalent to about 3,000 hours of service, to help establish the centre. As a result the Industrial Support Fund approved a grant of HK$ 10 million to subsidize the centre's operation for three years. University Support The centre also received a generous start- up fund from the University, which is supportive of its collaboration with industry. Dean of science, Prof. Lau Oi-wah, and dean of engineering. Prof. P.C. Ching, helped look Chinese University Bulletin Spring • Summer 1999 36